v2606.07.248

• Creates User.AdobeAcrobat.json with Adobe Acrobat settings moved from User.All.json
• Removes duplicate registry values in Machine.All.json
• Fixes file copies in configs for consistency
• Adds an OS and Platform filter to the Enterprise Defaults Viewer to view which configurations apply to a specific scenario

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2606.06.247

Summary

This release introduces a major refactor of the configuration schema, a new WPF-based configuration viewer, a significant cleanup of the PowerShell module, and removal of legacy scripts. It also updates all documentation to reflect the new structure and bumps several CI/dependency versions.

Breaking changes

• Configuration file names have changed — any references to old filenames (User-Windows11.All.json, Machine.Server.json, etc.) must be updated or custom changes ported to the new files
• The solution no longer relies on the configuration file name to determine applicability. Target OS and platform is defined within each configuration file directly

What's changed

Configuration schema overhaul

• Added $schema references and a _Configuration.Template.json template to all configs
• Updated all configurations to include all properties for consistency
• Renamed and consolidated all JSON configuration files to a consistent Machine.* / User.* naming convention (e.g. User-Windows11.All.json → User.Windows11.json)
• Introduced protected flag fields and normalised Targets / registry sections across all configs
• Changed configuration named:
  • Added new configs: Machine.RDS.json, Machine.TeamsCopilot.json, User.Windows2022RDS.json, User.Windows2025Server.json
  • Removed obsolete configs: Build.All.json, Machine.Server.json, Services.Client.json
• Normalised all JSON Type keys to lowercase type
• Update build numbers to 4 part version numbers [#72]

PowerShell module refactor (Install-Defaults.psm1, Install-Defaults.ps1)

• Enabled Set-StrictMode -Version Latest throughout for better code management to ensure the script execution is more robust
• Refactored config loading to remove Get-SettingsContent; config is now validated before applying
• Improved Add-Type reuse and registry cleanup logic
• Refactored all try/catch blocks for consistency
• Added null checks for config properties before applying
• Always copy package files to the Windows feature update path [#73]
• Only writes log file when running as Administrator

AppX / package updates - Remove-AppxApps.ps1

• Added WindowsWorkload.Manager to the safe package list (#80)
• Moved Teams/Outlook entries and added Office shell entries (#81)

New WPF configuration viewer (Start-DefaultsViewer.ps1)

• New WPF-based GUI to browse and inspect configuration files interactively

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2510.27.242

• Introduces -InstallLanguagePack switch parameter to Install-Defaults.ps1. This allows explicit control over whether the language pack is installed for the specified language. The -Language parameter can still be used to localise Windows without adding a language pack.
• Adds a check to skip registry key creation if PackageFamilyName is null or empty, preventing unnecessary operations and potential errors in Remove-AppxApps.ps1.
• Replaced 'return 0' with 'exit 0' in Install-Defaults.ps1 for proper script termination.
• Remove-AppxApps.ps1 - commented out Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe and Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_8wekyb3d8bbwe from SafePackageList to enable their removal.
• Remove-AppxApps.ps1 - Enabled removal of Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe, Microsoft.Todos_8wekyb3d8bbwe, and Microsoft.Copilot_8wekyb3d8bbwe from the TargetedPackageList.
• Added registry settings to User-Windows11.All.json to disable Windows Spotlight and related subscribed content on the Lock Screen.
• Added --no-first-run --disable-first-run-ui to the Microsoft Edge shortcut arguments to suppress first run prompts.
• Adds Write-Message for improved log output with colour and symbols, and Get-Symbol for tick/cross Unicode characters. Updates Write-LogFile to use Write-Message instead of Write-Msg, and exports new functions in the module. Also changes timestamp format in Write-Msg to show only time.
• Enhanced Write-Message to support line wrapping and better formatting for long messages.
• Adjusted log levels for AppX removal messages and added completion logs for language pack installation.
• Suppressed warnings for Set-WinUserLanguageList and improved user guidance in locale setting.
• Introduces the Set-Shortcut function to modify Windows shortcut (.lnk) files, supporting target, arguments, working directory, description, icon, and window style. Updates Install-Defaults.ps1 to process shortcut settings from configuration, and adds a Shortcuts section to Machine.All.json for managing shortcut arguments.
• Removed the call to Remove-AppxApps.ps1 from success.cmd, so only Install-Defaults.ps1 is executed.

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2509.15.228

• Adds ConfirmImpact to Remove-AppxApps.ps1 to require validation to remove AppX packages. This reduces the chance of breaking apps on existing desktops
• Updates the default packages in Remove-AppxApps.ps1 in the default mode to avoid removing packages that could impact functionality. Added packages include:
  • Microsoft.CompanyPortal_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • Microsoft.Edge.GameAssist_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • Microsoft.OfficePushNotificationUtility_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • Microsoft.Office.ActionsServer_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • aimgr_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • MicrosoftCorporationII.WinAppRuntime.Main*
  • Microsoft.WinAppRuntime.DDLM*
  • Microsoft.LanguageExperiencePack*
  • Microsoft.Teams.SlimCoreVdi*

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2508.07.224

• Reverts 'Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels' value to 'Always'. This is the default Windows behaviour #46
• Adds additional settings in 'Settings / Privacy & Security / Recommendations & offers'
  • Disables Personalised offers
  • Disables Advertising ID
• Moves 'Disables suggested content in the Settings app' to User-Windows11.All.json
• Adds an alternative approach for changing the default value at: HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarDa to disable Widgets by default.
  • This value is protected, so in most cases fails to be set directly via Set-ItemProperty
  • Note: This new approach makes a copy of C:\Windows\System32\reg.exe to $Env:TEMP\reg1.exe which could get picked up by XDR solutions

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2505.24.221

• Fixes an issue with writing registry keys for deprovisioned AppX apps
• Updates scripts for renaming repository to defaults

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• defaults.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• defaults.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2504.15.218

• Additional testing has been completed with Windows feature upgrades to ensure the solution re-runs after the feature upgrade is successful to reapply configurations and remove AppX packages that may be re-added
• Updates the approach to copying the project for feature updates during a feature update
• Updates Remove-AppxApps.ps1 to remove a targeted set of packages instead of all packages except the safe packages list. This enables removing only specified packages in specific scenarios including during Windows feature updates
• Updates Remove-AppxApps.ps1 to explicitly update the registry for removed packages and prevent reinstall of these packages during feature updates
• Updates Teams removal configuration to only run on Windows 11 23H2 or below
• Sets ShowCopilotButton to remove the Copilot button from the taskbar on Windows 11 23H2 and below

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• image-customise.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• image-customise.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2504.11.216

• Sets CopilotPWAPreinstallCompleted in HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoInstalledPWAs to prevent the install of the Microsoft Copilot PWA

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• image-customise.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• image-customise.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2504.01.215

• Adds ShowNotificationIcon to enable 'Notifications / Show notification bell icon'
• Adds MicrosoftCorporationII.WinAppRuntime.Main.1.5_8wekyb3d8bbwe and MicrosoftCorporationII.WinAppRuntime.Singleton_8wekyb3d8bbwe to the list of packages to keep in Remove-AppxApps.ps1
• Renames log file name to WindowsEnterpriseDefaults.log

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• image-customise.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• image-customise.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant

v2503.30.213

• Updates Install-Defaults.ps1 to install language packs on Windows Server 2025 and above
• Updates Remove-AppxApps.ps1 with more verbose output for troubleshooting
• Adds a default user profile settings config file for Windows Server 2025 and above
• Adds a custom Start menu for Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop session hosts
• Adds a description property to the JSON configuration files
• Fixes an issue with applying REG_BINARY registry values
• Sets VisiblePlaces to enable Settings and File Explorer on the Start menu next to the power button on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025

Files

This release includes several file assets:

• image-customise.zip - a downloadable copy of the solution that can be used anywhere
• image-customise.intunewin - a copy of the solution in Intune Win32 format for deployment to manage devices
• Win32App.json - a definition file for the Win32 package and can be used with the IntuneWin32App PowerShell module to import into an Intune tenant